West Virginia Democrat. [volume] (Charles Town, W. Va.) 1885-1890, 1887-02-25

gentlemen paid their own way and
had no motive except the good of
the State. whereas Mr.. Camdcn's
lobby, almost without exception,
travelled on free pass, and, as far
as we could Judge, we're determined
to accomplish his election at any
cost. We firmly believe that our
Institutions cannot live If elections
be controlled by an active body of
professional Office holding managers.
Mr.. Lucas speaks as if the Stand
ard Oil Company was actually
candidate for che Senate. 1t is
foreign corporation and almost with
out legal existence ia this State.
Camden never held an Office in it
and never had anything to do with
its management. He owns some OF
it's stock, but who is there who
would not own some Of that stock?
He resigned as Vice President Of
the Camden Consolidated Oil Com
pany shortly after his election to
the Senate and has had nothing to
do with its management since.
Neither of these companies ever had
any interest in Legislation in Con-
gress. II Camden owned both Of
them it would in no way unfit him
for the Senate.
COMMENT.
1t insults intelligence to suggest
that our institutions are not in dan
ger from corporations like the
Standard Oil Company. Here is the
secret contract made in 1872 be-
tween that company and the rail
roads.
1t is agreed, the railroads will cooper
ate with the Standard Oil Company To
prevent competition and the railroads
will lower or raise the rates 10 such ca
tent as may be necessary TO overcome
competition.
This illegal and secret contract
suddenly closed the highways
against every rival enterprise and
bankrupted every other producer.
The profits OF the company in eight
cen months, from rebates alonc.werc
$10,151,2 lS. We do not say that it
is a crime to own its stock, but we
do say that it is suicidal to permit
such corporations to control iegisla
tion-they are not on the side of the
people. The danger is none the less
if the stockholders shape the laws
while other men are the officers Of
the corporation. Those in Parkers-
burg, who are in position TO know
the facts, regard Mr.. Camden as the
moving spirit in the Camden Con-
solidated, which is the most import
ant branch Of the Standard Oil.
They are in fact like the Siamese
twins. 1t is absurd to say, this cor
poration has nothing to ask from
Congress. On page 45S OF Hudson's
Railways and the Republic, we read
as follows:
Two Senators represent this corpora
ton. On May 10, 1876, resolution was
introduced to investigate discrimina-
tons. Mr.. Payne (then member Of
the House) objected and it was referred
to committee. Mr.. Camden appeared
as the advisor of Mr.. Payne, the chair
man of the committee, and had IL
shelved.
We have not space for such com
ment as this subject deserves. Is
Jay Gould safe man for Senator2
If Mr.. Lucas and his associates
were willing to act as Democrats and
submit to the will OF majority not
only in the Legislature but Of their
constituents, as well follow the es-
tablished usages Of their party and
vote for its duly nominated candi-
date, there would be no occasion for
overtures to Republicans. There
has been no overtures inconsistent
with fidelity to Democratic princi-
plies. But if a faction in our own
party, without cause, shall afford the
opportunity and our Republican
friends SEE fit to support our candi
date we will bid them cordial wei
come. 1t has been charged that If
Camden is elected with Republican
votes he will cease to fight for his
party. / have heard the Senator
express himself on this point. / have
heard him make the statement that
if reelected it was end of personal
politics with him, but he would CON
tinue to work for the success OF the
party.
COMMENT.
The question is not how Mr.. Cam
den expressed himselfto Mr.. sommer
vile but what did Mr.. Camden say
to a Republican member of the
House. He said this:
1 make the statement, up
on what / regard as good an
thority, (and if any of Mr..
Camden's sunnorters hero